Adding unit fob race totalizators



FeIi. f3, 1951 A. F. JULIUS ET AL 2,541,587

ADDING UNIT FOR RACE TOTALIZATORS Filed June 30, 1948 7 SheetsSheet 1 In I) 6122:01 5

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ADDING UNIT FOR RACE TOTALIZATORS Filed June 50, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 mum fl.FJw Z5245 GA. JCLZLZL? jecewec. 8/ .21). 0.072656%;

Feb. 13, 1951 A. F. JULIUS ET AL A ADDING UNIT FOR RACE TOTALIZATORS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 50, 1948 jacaAitcz Feb. 13, 1951 A. F. JULIUS ET AL ADDING UNIT FOR RACE TOTALIZATORS Filed June 30, 1948 Feb. 13, 1951 A, F, JULIUS ET A 2,541,587

ADDING UNIT FOR RACE TOTALIZATORS Filed June 50, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I I l I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I K3? 6 Ixeawtnm w, W 5 d 5) w r w 2, w m 5 e c v m p%% .5 w w v z a a w N m w .3 "ZS m m J I. Z? U w 5 i? A W G m I. m M AM Jud JJA W W 1 6 m LaLIIIIM/I/V/WII llll Ill Patented Feb. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADDING UNIT FOR RACE TOTALIZATORS Sydney,

New South Wales, Australia,

and

Awdry Francis Julius and Russell Stuart Hicks, both of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, executors, assignors to Automatic Totalisators Limited, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Application June 30, 1948, Serial No. 36,167

In Australia June 30, 1947 9 Claims.

In race totalisators of the kind to which the present invention is referable, betting transactions are initiated by th printing and issuing of tickets from a number of ticket issuer units. Each ticket is characteristic of the particular transaction to which it refers, by reason of its showing (at least) that the transaction is a win bet or a place bet (assuming the totalisator is one dealing with only these two kinds of transactions) and also showing a number or other indication peculiar to a particular competitor in the event in respect of which the tickets are being issued. The transactions initiated in the ticket issuer have to be counted separately for each competitor, to give a win total and a place total for that competitor. These counts are made by adding units. There is thus a win adding unit and a separate place adding unit for each competitor, these units being fed by all of the ticket issuers. There is also a grand total win adding unit and a grand total place adding unit which are respectively fed from all of the corresponding (as to win or place) primary adding units. Each primary adding unit integrates the number of transactions fed into it as electrical impulses from the ticket issuers and displays a total number on a counter which may be of the type known as a veeder counter. The adding units ma be used to perform other functions, such as operation of odds indicators and so on, as well understood.

Prior adding units of the kind to which the present invention relates, comprise one or more escapement shafts whereof the total rotation constitutes a summation of the number of transactions of one kind effected by the ticket issuers in respect of a single competitor. The (or each) escapement shaft carries a number of epicyclic gear units having escapement wheels operatively associated therewith. The escapement shaft (or each of them) is constantly urged to rotate by way of a constantly driven slip-ping clutch, but is normally prevented from turning by reason of the engagement with the escape-ment wheels of their respective rocker levers. These rocker levers are armatures (respectively) to an equal number of electromagnets, one of which is momentarily energised by the ticket issuers every time a relevant ticket is issued thereby. It is thus that the constantly rotationally urged escapement shaft sums ticket issued transactions, by reason of each magnet energisation releasing a rocker lever to allow the shaft to turn through an angle equivalent to the tooth pitch of an escapement wheel. Thi pitch angle of escapement shaft part rotation represents a single transaction, and is transmitted to the shaft of a counter instrument by a suitable gear train.

Where the installation is of such size that each adding unit requires more than one escapement shaft to handle the volume of transactions, the rotations of the several shafts are summed together in a single counter by way of epicyclic gear units which additively connect the several shafts.

Prior adding units of the kind indicated, are open to objection in several respects. For example, the torque exerted by the slipping clutch is eventually exercised in the counter by way of the rocker lever and escapement wheel restrained escapement shaft; and, where there is more than one such shaft, through the epicyclic gear units which additively connect the several shafts. Thus the torque loading on the escapement wheels (and hence the loads imposed on the rocker levers) vary with the frictional torque loading due to the slipping clutch. This loading varies in a long term manner due to clutch wear, and over shorter periods because of change of weather conditions. Although this variation is usually not great enough to render the adding unit inoperative, it is sufficient to constitute an appreciable disadvantage.

A further disadvantage due to transmission through the escapements and epicyclics (or any similar relatively long gear train) is that any slight inaccuracies in gear cutting or as a result of tooth wear, produce slight plus or minus movements of the shafts. While this is not likely to result in complete loss of a transaction in the counter, it is frequently sufficient to cause the units indicator drum or wheel of the counter to halt in a position between two true number positions thereof, so that a numerically decisive total cannot be read therefrom. This fault arises more frequently when the adding unit includes more than one escapement shaft, owing to the presence of the epicyclic gear units in the gear transmission trains. It is a fault which assumes serious proportions when it is necessary, during heavy runs of transaction recording, quickly to ascertain the transaction totals for the purpose of computing grand totals, dividends, and so on, within a limited time period;

In order to overcome the fault referred to in the preceding paragraph, it has been usual to provide a separate counter drum on each escapement shaft, to give only units readings for that particular shaft. In such case the main counter is employed only for reading totals in terms of multiples of ten. This expedient, while enabling 3 decisive totals to be obtained, is defective in that valuable time is lost in reading tens from the main counter and then adding the units readings from the one or more separate units drums, to arrive at the required total.

A further disadvantage in prior adding units of the kind in question, is that owing to the fixed nature of the assemblage of the adding units relative to associated parts of the totalisator installation, and the similar non-demountable arrangement of the various parts (of each adding unit) relative one to another, a breakdown in a single adding unit or a part thereof resulted in the halting of the entire installation (or some part thereof beyond that directly involved in the breakdown) for the whole time required for effecting the necessary repairs.

The object of this invention is to overcome the mentioned disabilities in a simple manner by the provision of an adding unit wherein (although a constantly running slipping clutch is still the sole source of power input for applying a required torque loading to one or more escapement shafts, and for the operation of a counter; and the total amount of revolution of the escapement shaftor shafts-is still the factor which directly controls, or is reproduced in, the counter) (a) the escapement shaft-or shafts-is or are subjected to a substantially constant torque irrespective of torque variations in the slipping clutch; (b) the drive transmission, from the slipping clutch to the counter, by-passes the escapements and epicyclics (in contradistinction to the prior arrangement) so that any inaccuracies or plus or minus motions therein exercise no effect upon the counter; and (c) by comparison with existing units the structure is improved in a general manner, whereby time losses for repairs due to breakdown of the unit or parts thereof may be remedied without necessity for extensive halting periods in the operation of the installation.

According to this invention a preferred form of adding unit for a race totalisator mainly comprises, a counter, at least one escapement assembly, a counter drive train, and a frame which provides support for the several unit parts. The counter drive train comprises, a drive shaft for the counter, a drive shaft for the escapement assembly, an epicyclic gear unit associated with the escapement drive shaft, spring motor devices able to operate through the epicyclic gear unit to urge rotation of the escapement drive shaft, and means able to rotate the counter drive shaft in consonance with rotation of the escapement drive shaft and to rewind the spring motor devices through the agency of the gear unit.

An example of the invention is illustrated in the drawings herewith.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an adding unit for a single escapement assembly, but with that assembly removed.

Figure 2 is an end elevation looking on the lefthand side of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation looking on the right-hand side of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of an escapement assembly.

Figure 5 is a side elevation looking on the lefthand side of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation taken substantially along line 6--6 in Figure 3 showing the counter drive train.

Figure 7 is a part sectional end elevation taken along line 1-4 in Figure 6.

-. mitre gear unit 38.

Figure 8 is a sectional end elevation of the lower portion of Figure 6 taken on line 8-8 in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a schematic side elevation of the adding unit with mounting and drive means therefor.

Figure 10 is a sectional end elevation taken on line Ill-l0 in Figure 9.

The several parts constituting the adding unit are mounted on a frame II. This frame carries a bearing sleeve I2 for a main drive spindle l3 which is furnished with means for the continuous rotation thereof. These means may comprise a motor (not shown) able to drive a shaft l5, gears IS, IT and I8 and a tubular boss H! to which gear I8 is fixed and which has key slots to receive a drive pin 2i fixed in spindle I3. The driving plate 22 of a slipping clutch 23 is keyed (by pin 24 engaging in slotted boss 25) on spindle [3 for rotation therewith. This driving plate is endwisely slidable on spindle l3 and is provided with a loading spring 26 and load adjusting units 21, and a friction drive pad 28, as well understood. The driven plate 29 of the slipping clutch is freely mounted on the main drive spindle and is suitably restrained against axially directed movement relative thereto. The clutch driven plate has a ratchet wheel 30 and a pinion 3| fixed concentrically thereto. The driven plate (and hence the ratchet wheel and pinion thereon) are normally prevented from rotating by a restraining pawl 32 which is able to engage the ratchet wheel teeth, is pivotally mounted at 33 upon the frame H, and is furnished with a loading spring 34 which constantly tends to withdraw the restraining pawl from the ratchet wheel and thus allow rotation thereof under the urge of the slipping clutch.

The restraining pawl 32 is normally held in engagement with the ratchet Wheel 30 (in opposition to the loading of spring 34) by a radial web or arm 35, having an outer projection 36 able to bear against the pawl. The inner end of arm is fixed to the centre cross 31 of an epicyclic The epicyclic gear unit is of the common type consisting of two coaxial bevel or crown gears 39 and 40 (herein referred to as first (39) and second (46) respectively), and a pair of planetary bevel pinions 4| each of which meshes both of the crown gears. The first crown gear 39 is fixed upon an escapement drive shaft 42 in bearing sleeve 43 fixed in frame II, and the two planetary pinions are freely mounted on a pair of radial pins forming part of the centre cross 31 of the epicyclic gear unit. This centre cross has a bearing sleeve 44 which extends to one side of the cross portion carrying the radial pins. The cross (and hence its sleeve 44) isfreely revoluble upon the escapement drive shaft 42. The second crown gear 40 is freely rovolubly mounted on the sleeve 44 and has a gear wheel 45 and a pinion 46 fixed concentrically thereto. This pinion constitutes the first element in a gear train (41) for. actuating an odds indicator, or other parts of the installation which are required to be actuated contingently upon, or in consonance with, actuation of the escapement shaft of the adding unit. The gear wheel 45 meshes the pinion 3| which is fixed to the driven plate of the slipping clutch 23. This gear wheel also meshes a pinion 48 keyed on the operating shaft 49 for the adding unit counter 50.

The bearing sleeve 44, forming part of the epicyclic cross, is loaded by means for applying a torque thereto. These means preferably comprise a spiral motor spring i having its radially inner end anchored (at 52) to the sleeve, and its outer end anchored (at 53) to any convenient stationary portion of the adding unit; for example, the outer end of the spring is anchored within a drum casing 54 fixed to the adding unit frame H. Although the foregoing intimates that the outer end of the motor spring is fixed relative to the adding unit frame (and it is so fixed when the unit is in operation) the said drum casing is preferably mounted on the frame by way of bolts or screws 5 or the like which pass through arcuately elongated bolt holes 56, formed in the casing (or a mounting flange 5'! thereon) so to enable the drum casing to be adjusted into and held in a selected fixed position, for varying the loading effect of the motor spring as may be desired.

The epicyclic mitre gear unit 38 is preferably disposed adjacent one end of the escapement drive shaft 42. The other end of this spindle carries a drive crank 58 having its crank pin 59 able separably to engage in a radial slot 60 or the like in a driven crank disc Bl fixed on the end of the escapement shaft proper (52).

The escapement shaft assembly 63 (see Figures 4 and 5), including the epicyclics 6d, escapement wheels 65, magnets 55 and rocker lever ([31) constituents thereof, is of more-ordess conventional design. This assembly, however, is formed as a self contained unit within a cradle frame 68 which may be simply bolted (through holes 69) or otherwise removably secured to the adding unit frame (by way of studs 10), with the commences to rotate at one with its constantly running driving plate 22. The rotation of theclutch driven member, including the gear pinion- 3| fixed thereto, causes the gear wheel at (which is fixed to the second crown gear or" the epicyclic unit) to turn and thus operate the counter pinion 48 meshed therewith; and, at the same time, acting through the epicyclic unit 38, rewind the motor spring 5i to its original tension in readiness for a next actuation of the escapement shaft. This actuation through the epicyclic unit also restores the centre cross 3i to its original position, thus sending the radial web 35 thereon towards the restraining pawl 32 and causing it to re-as'sume its hold on the slipping clutch ratchet wheel 30. The holding position of the pawl is attained in time to restrict the turning of the ratchet wheel, to an angle equivalent to its tooth pitch, for each transaction turn entered into the escapement shaft.

With the above described arrangement the torque load of the slipping clutch is never applied escapement shaft proper (62) axially aligned with the escapement drive shaft 42 and the crank elements (58 to 6|) of the shaft and spindle mated for drive transmission. This arrangement enables an escapement assembly, in the event of a breakdown therein, to be quickly removed and replaced by a standardised reserve assembly, without seriously halting the running of the installation as a whole.

In use, the slipping clutch driving plate 22 turns constantly and urges rotation of its driven plate 25 and the ratchet wheel and the pinion 3i fixed thereto. The driven plate is normally held against rotation by reason of the restraining pawl 32 being held in engagement with the ratchet wheel by the radius web 35 fixed on the epicyclic centre cross 31. When any of the rocker levers 61 in the escapement assembly 63 is magnetically tripped by an impulse from a ticket issuer, the escapement shaft proper (62) is thus freed to turn through a corresponding angle, by reason of the torque imposed thereon, by way of the escapement drive shaft 42, by the motor spring 5!. The motor spring exerts this torgue through the centre cross 3? of the epicyclic gear unit 38] The torque imposed by the motor spring (pre-tensed as described below) is substantially constant and is quite independent of the slipping clutch torque, in that for the time being the clutch is still ineffective due to its driven member 29 still being held by the restraining pawl 32.

The transmission of the motor spring torque loading through the centre cross, causes that cross to turn through half the angle of rotation performed by the escapement drive shaft. This turning of the centre cross causes the radial web 35 fixed thereto to turn similarly, so that the restraining pawl 32 (under compulsion of its loading spring 34) recedes from the ratchet wheel 30 associated with the slipping clutch. This frees the clutch driven member 23 which immediately to the escapement shaft or the rocker levers associated therewith, these being subjected. only to i the substantially constant selected loading of the motor spring. Further, the operation of the counter '50 is in no way affected by gear or other inaccuracies in the escapement assembly because such inaccuracies may only affect the angular motions of the radius web 35 and the restraining pawl 32, whereof the extent of turning is not critical. The operating shaft of the counter is accurately turned through the exact angle required for each transaction by reason of its turns being governed entirely by the ratchet wheel (without a long train of intermediary gears) which if manufactured with only common workshop accuracy will not have its teeth sufiiciently out of pitch to raise any likelihood of indecisive units display at the counter window 1 l.

The foregoing description is largely in terms of an adding unit which has only one escapement assembly. Where an adding unit has more than one such assembly, the several parts described above are repeated for each assembly, but the final gear wheels (such as related to each assembly instead of meshing directly with a counter pinion, such as 48, have their rotation summed in an additional epicyclic gear train which feeds the total motion into the operating spindle of a single counter such as 55. In such a plural escapement assembly adding unit, the advantages of the invention are not appreciably diminished because the motion of the counter will only be subject to the practically negligible inaccuracies of the single additional epicyclic gear train instead of those present in the twelve (say) or more epicyclics of the two or more escapement assemblies.

As indicated earlier herein the adding units subject hereof have been devised to give a generally improved over-all construction in addition tothe specific improvements already described. For example, as previously stated, the escapement, assembly (or assemblies) is (or are) arranged to enable almost instant replacement thereof by a reserve assembly. Again, the counter is, for preference, similarly adapted for quick replacement by being removably bolted to the unit frame, or a bracket :2 thereon, and by having its operating spindle in two parts it and 49, drive connected one to another by way of a crank pin and slotted plate coupling In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention the adding unit as a whole is similarly adapted for speedy separability from th remainder of the installation. In such case each adding unit frame i i is adapted to seat in a channel-sectioned socket or seating 15 on a main chassis 16. The main chassis has prepared seatings l'l thereon upon which the several escapement assembly cradles may rest and thus provide lateral support, for the adding unit frames H which when in working position stand uprightly with their bottom edge faces neatly seating upon the webs of the relatively narrow channel-sectioned sockets or seatings 15.

In order to locate the adding unit frames in the channel sockets with the main shaft drivin gears (I6) in correct mesh relationship with the adding unit driven gears (ll), each of the channel sockets has an adjustable stop which may consist of a set screw l8 or th like (with suitable locknuts 19 to retain selected adjustment) which screw within fixed brackets 88, so arranged that the set screws are directed longitudinally of the sockets. When an adding unit is to be placed in working position its bottom portion is slid longitudinally into the socket until its front edge (or a machined fiat 8| thereon) abuts the suitably adjusted stop screw 18. The unit is then looked in position by a clamp preferably positioned adjacent the other end of the socket. This clamp consists of a channel-sectioned plate 82 able freely to receive the socket between its flanges. The clamp flanges extend above the top edges of the socket, flanges and have their top portion formed as hooks B3 able to take over and bear downwardly upon two pegs or stubs 84 which project laterally from the adding unit frame on either side, and adjacent the bottom, thereof. The clamp is loosely connected by its web to the socket web and is furnished with a clamping set screw 85 which may be tightened (in an upward direction) to bear against theunde'face of the socket web thus to tighten the hooks 83 downwardly upon the pegs or stubs 84. The loose connection of the clamp to the socket is preferably by way of a shouldered post 86 which is fixed to, and extends downwardly from, the under side of the socket web. This post passes through a slot 81 in the clamp Web, so that upon relaxing the clamping set screw, the clamping plate may first be raised and then slid clear of the stubs 84 to allow the adding unit to be easily lifted clear of its support socket, and, if required, a fresh adding unit to be just as readily substituted therefor.

This simple removability of adding units has a further advantage in that the adding units (which are expensive to manufacture) may be removed from a totalisator installation not required for immediate use, and quickly applied to an installation about to be used, thus reducing the total number of adding units necessary for nonsimultaneous operation of a plurality of separate (and even widely distributed) totalisator installations.

What is claimed is:

1. In an adding unit for a race totalisator, a

iii

tion, a biasing spring for said restraining pawl which urges said restraining pawl to remain disengaged from said ratchet wheel, an escapement drive shaft, an epicyclic mitre gear unit having a center cross and first and second crown wheels, said first crown wheel being fixed to said escapement drive shaft, said second crown wheel and said center cross being freely revolubly mounted on said escapement drive shaft, a counter drive shaft provided with a driving gear, a gear wheel fixed to said second crown wheel and meshing with the driving pinion on said slipping clutch driven element and with the driving gear of said counter shaft, a radial web on said center cross bearing against said restraining pawl, and a spring motor for applying a torque to said center cross.

2. The combination with a counter drive train on an adding unit according to claim 1, of a casing to which one end of said spring motor is anchored and which is secured to a frame forming part of said adding unit by means enabling rotational adjustment of said casing.

3. An adding unit according to claim 1 which 'ncorporates a frame for said counter drive train, a bracket fixed relative to said frame, and means for detachably securing a counter on said bracket, and wherein said counter drive shaft consists of two parts furnished with separable and complementary drive coupling means.

4. An adding unit according to claim 1 which incorporates a frame provided with a cradle forming part of an escapement assembly and means for detachably securing said cradle to said frame, and wherein said escapement drive shaft consists of two parts furnished with separable and complementary drive coupling means.

5. The combination with an adding unit according to claim 1 of means for mounting said unit on a main chassis; said mounting means comprising, a frame for said counter drive train, a channel socket on said chassis in which said frame may be rested, an adjustable stop at one end of said socket, a channel sectioned clamping plate loosely secured to said socket and having hooked portions thereon, a pair of stubs on said frame about which said hooked portions may engage, and a clamping screw for said plate.

6. In an adding unit for a race totalisator, a counter drive train comprising, a main drive spindle, drive devices which urge constant rotation of said drive spindle, a slipping clutch having a driving element and a driven element, means connecting said driving element and said main drive spindle, a ratchet wheel and a driving pinion fixed to said driven element, an escapement drive shaft, an epicyclic mitre ear unit having a center cross and first and second crown wheels, said first crown wheel being fixed to said escapement drive shaft, said second crown wheel and said center cross being freely revolubly mounted on said escapement drive shaft, a counter drive shaft provided with a driving gear, a gear wheel fixed to said second crown wheel and meshing with the driving pinion on said driven element of the slipping clutch, and with the driving gear of said counter shaft, a radial web on said center cross, engagement means for said radial web to hold said ratchet wheel against rotation, and a spring motor for applying a torque to said center cross.

7. In an adding unit for a race totalisator, a counter drive train comprising, a main driving pinion, drive means which urge constant rotation of said driving Pinion, a ratchet wheel fixed to said driving pinion, an escapement drive shaft, an epicyclic mitre gear unit having a center cross and first and second crown wheels, said first crown wheel being fixed to said escapement drive shaft, said second crown Wheel and said center cross being freely revolubly mounted on said escapement drive shaft, a counter drive shaft provided with a driving gear, a gear wheel fixed to said second crown wheel and meshing with the driving pinion and with the drivin gear of said counter shaft, a radial web on said center cross, engagement means for said radial web to hold said ratchet wheel against rotation, and a spring motor for applying a torque to said center cross.

8. In an adding unit for a race totalisator, a counter drive train comprising, a main driving pinion, drive means which urge constant rotation of said driving pinion, an escapement drive shaft, a counter drive shaft, gear means connecting said main driving pinion to said counter drive shaft, drive checking means having a movable element, engagement means for said movable element to hold said main driving pinion against rotation, spring motor means for applying a torque to said movable element in response to rotation of said escapement drive shaft so as to release said main driving pinion, and gear means connecting said main driving pinion and said sprin motor means whereby when said main driving pinion is released it will act against said applied torque to restore said movable element to its holding position and to rotate said counter drive shaft step-by-step in consonance with rotation of said escapement shaft.

9. In an adding unit for a race totalisator, a counter drive train comprising, a main driving pinion, drive means which urge constant rotation of said driving pinion, an escapement drive shaft, a counter drive shaft, an epicyclic gear unit having at least three elements, the first element of said gear unit being connected to said escapement drive shaft, movement transmitting means connecting said main driving pinion to said counter drive shaft, the second element of said gear unit being connected to said movement transmitting means, engagement means con nected to the third element of said gear unit to hold said main driving pinion against rotation, spring motor means for applying a torque to said third element in response to rotation of said escapement drive shaft so as to release said main driving pinion whereby when said main driving pinion is released it will act through said movement transmitting means and said epicyclic gear unit against said applied torque to restore said third element to its holding position and to rotate said counter drive shaft step-by-step in consonance with rotation of said escapement shaft.

AWDRY FRANCIS JULIUS.

EVA DRONGHSIA ODIERNA JULIUS, AWDRY FRANCIS JULIUS, RUSSELL STUART HICKS, Exeout ors of the Estate of George Alfred Julius,

Deceased.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain May 6, 1926 

